The Arsenal forward talks all things Arsenal with John Cross

Theo Walcott has claimed Arsenal must show more belief and commitment if they want to catch bitter rivals Tottenham.

Walcott insists the Gunners are not worried that fourth-placed Spurs have a seven point lead over them - as they were 13 points behind the White Hart Lane outfit at one stage last season and still finished above them.

But Walcott admits that Arsenal must get some results "fast" otherwise they will miss out on the Champions League which he claims means everything to the whole squad.

Walcott said: "Last year, we were so many points behind no-one ever thought we would make it. We've got a game in hand but we need to clock up these points fast.

"The gap doesn't worry us. We can't worry about them (Spurs).

"We hope they do drop points, but we've got to concentrate on ourselves, win games - and we've got a big game on Wednesday when we have to pick ourselves up.

Clive Mason

Hero worship: Walcott has been in the goals this season

"We are ready, it's our game in hand, we have to get three points and, no disrespect to West Ham, we should win that game.

"This team is getting better every year. We don't want to be standing still. We need to be right up there at the end of the season, Champions League football and competing as well.

"It means a lot. It's one of the reasons why I decided to stay. I feel we can and should be there. I still think we will (make the top four) and I think we'll be fine.

"The Champions League is massive. I've had so much experience. I'm only 23 and yet I've played so much in the Champions League and not many players my age would have had that experience.

"I know how good it is, I know that the players in our dressing room will get better from playing in the Champions League, playing against the best in the world.

"It turns you into a better player, definitely. You go to different stadiums, you experience that. We went to Schalke recently and I'd already been there from the World Cup 2006 and it's good to go to these places, be prepared. You can't get bigger than the Champions League."

Walcott was also brutally honest about Arsenal's failings at Chelsea on Sunday, when they were outclassed in the first half before his goal led a spirited second half fightback that left the European champions clinging on for their 2-1 win.

In the end, it was not enough as the home side held on, but Walcott claims he and his team-mates need to start showing belief from the start rather than turning up too late.

Laurence Griffiths / Getty

Believe! Walcott says Gunners need to stay strong for remainder of the season

Walcott said: "I think there's a lack of belief as to how good we can be. We've got some very, very good players here. I think players don't believe they are good enough at times. But, trust me, I see them every day in training and they should believe that.

"We need to start realising how good we are. We showed some great stuff in the second half at Chelsea but it's time we did that from the start on.

"If we just look at the second half, forget the first half, I think we were too slow, sloppy closing down and we've got to show more commitment. We gave them too much space as well.

"As soon as we pressurised them a bit more, pushed up higher and the manager said if we got that early goal then it would be different.

"It wasn't meant to be, but we gave the manager something to think about and we can't be slow off the blocks like that again.

"We've got a great bunch here, a great manager and he always puts it upon himself which is hard because we are the players out there every week. We try to win for him, we need to win for him because he's been very helpful for us young players coming through."

He is Arsenal's top scorer, has laid on assists and is enjoying his new role as a central striker, which he proved by neatly slotting his shot past Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

Walcott added: "Even Cech said to me afterwards, 'Great finish.' From a world class keeper, that means a lot. It's little things like that coming from players who I look up to, watch every week that means a lot to me.

"It was always important to get the future sorted. I always said I wanted to stay and I'm happy that we came to an agreement with the club.

"In terms of goals and assists this season has been successful for me. I want to stay fit, keep playing and improving.

"It has been tough through the negotiations. It hasn't always shown it on the pitch and off the pitch but deep down it has been tough, not just for me but for my family, my partner, they were all getting hit with it every week and every day. I'm so pleased it's over.

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Cech it out: Walcott scores against Chelsea

"I can deal with the speculation but it's more my family and friends who thought I might not have been able to cope.

"But I've dealt with it and I think that shows that I've matured as a man. I can deal with these sort of things. I've never thought about that side of things too much because I've always trusted the manager, spoken to the other players and I always said I wanted to stay.

"It's difficult. Sometimes it's up and down.

"If you're not playing - and I wasn't at the start of the season - then it can be difficult. It's best to do your talking on the pitch, show what you can do and I've always been happiest when I've been able to do that.

"I've been happy with the last couple of seasons, to be honest. But this season I've been able to be more consistent, score goals and enjoy the big occasions.

"But the sort of person that I am is someone who would rather not score if it means the team wins. I know what Arsenal should be and that's why I committed myself to them for the long term."